Michael Cook

Vice President, Web
Michael Cook has worked in marketing & advertising for 10 years, serving as an account executive at multiple ad agencies in New Orleans and starting his own digital marketing company in 2018. His past experience includes everything from managing full advertising and print marketing campaigns to designing custom WordPress websites. Since its founding, his company Salty Key Marketing has launched over 30 new websites and website redesigns for businesses large and small. Michael enjoys being directly involved with his clients and overseeing the full process of helping companies improving their online profile from start to finish.

Leigh Landeche

Vice President, Digital

Leigh Landeche is the founder of Wink Media, a Covington Based Digital Marketing & Web Agency.

For over 20 years, Leigh Landeche has been developing cutting edge high-traffic websites. In 2006 Leigh joined the NewOrleans.com team and grew to become a Senior Vice President working with development teams from Vegas.com to develop New Orleans’s first Tour & Hotel online booking system. In 2013 after the sale of NewOrleans.com, Leigh went on to launch his own IT & Web Design company, which eventually became Wink Media.

Today Wink Media produces measured performance and dependable results by providing Local SEO, Professional Web Design, & Digital Marketing to service-based businesses such as HVAC, Construction, Restaurants, Lawyers, Salons, and other small to medium-sized companies.

Branda Johnson

Vice President, Content

Branda Johnson learned at a young age that she didn’t necessarily need to be in front of the camera to fuel her passion for media, fashion and entertainment. From summer programs at The Boston Globe and writing weekly blog posts for Pretty Girls Sweat to Promotions Coordinator at Boston’s iHeart Radio Stations, Publicity Coordinator at Tosser Magazine and Rent the Runway Event Ambassador, she wanted to stay busy.

Her first and favorite big PR moment came when working for Arielle-Wren/ Noelle Elaine during Reverend Jesse Jackson’s Wall Street Economic Project Summit managing press for the 3-day conference. From there she has continued to work in public relations, event production, social media management and talent booking. Working with a range of clients in a number of industries including music artists, beauty brands, nonprofits, influencers and even in sports, Branda has seen that everyone has a message, story and a passion to share and she is the one to help implement the best plan of action to reach those who will listen and relate.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Branda made the pivot and decision to take on the role of an entrepreneur and started Branda J Communications. She is excited to continue on this journey in helping her clients deepen their relationships with their growing audiences and building brands.

Will Monson

Vice President, Brand Management

Will Monson earned his undergraduate degree in Graphic Design from LSU and is currently pursuing his MBA in marketing from LSU-Shreveport. He serves as Marketing Specialist for Ochsner Health where he collaborates with its various facilities to develop recruitment campaigns. In his free time, he is an avid painter, tinkerer, and produces multiple comedy shows throughout New Orleans. He has performed across the country in comedy festivals. When he is not building something out of wood or plastics, he is working on his goal of visiting every national park in the country where his camping skills from earning his Eagle Scout award comes in handy. He is proud to serve alongside the other board members for AMA New Orleans and seeks to develop the organization as the preeminent source for New Orleans marketing.

Robert Baer

Vice President, Finance / Treasurer

Robert Baer brings over 40 years of banking experience to his role as Fidelity Bank’s Digital Marketing and Community Outreach Manager. His responsibilities include implementing solutions focused on reaching bank clients and prospects utilizing digital solutions focused on meeting their ever changing banking needs. He also leads the banks Community Outreach efforts that focus on delivering Financial Literacy programs to area schools, and support for various community non-profit organizations.

Priscilla Medina

Vice President, Communications
Priscilla Medina has been a part of the marketing department at Zea’s Rotisserie & Bar for the past five years since graduating from the University of New Orleans. Her intro role was the promotions coordinator, then over time stepped into the digital and communications side. Now as the manager of the marketing department, Priscilla has a hand in everything from creating digital media campaigns, executing promotions, to reporting on analytics. She has been an active member in AMA since 2015 and is also a member of the Young Leadership Council.

Allison Herrera

Vice President, Social Media

Allison Herrera, a New Orleans native, is the founder & CEO of Uptown Girl Media, LLC. As an alumna of St. Mary’s Dominican High School, Louisiana State University and Delta Gamma Fraternity, she obtained countless honors from National Honor Societies and recognitions from a handful of organizations throughout her time in school.

After beginning a career in broadcast journalism with Raycom Media (who at the time owned television networks such as Fox 8 in New Orleans & WAFB Channel 9 in Baton Rouge), she fell in love with the idea of using the knowledge & tools she gained in media to help businesses & brands advertise themselves. She then left the news industry with a heavy, but hopeful, heart to pursue her dream – opening a media marketing agency focusing on video for digital advertising. Before launching her own agency, Herrera received experience in sales, advertising, public relations & much more throughout her career & multiple roles.

Herrera is a valuable player in her industry, as she is the first minority owned company that transformed the idea of video advertising in New Orleans. Uptown Girl Media is a media marketing agency specializing in digital advertising. From teaching Zumba at the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired to assisting patients at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital, Herrera is a strong believer in giving back to her community.

In her spare time, Herrera enjoys spending quality time with her loved ones, watching Louisiana sports, reading, trying new dishes around the city and watching movies with her Yorkipoo, Gumbeaux.

Anna LeDonne

Vice President, Programming

As creative director at Gambel Communications, Anna LeDonne develops engaging visual storytelling campaigns, ensuring a cohesive look and feel throughout all branded efforts including brand messaging, media relations, community relations, social media campaigns and special events for a variety of clients. With a passion for brand creation and design, she heads up Gambel’s graphic design needs including branding and logo creation, as well as content creation, ad design and Squarespace website design.

Anna brings eight years of experience in writing, editing, marketing and public relations to the table where her natural eye for design helps clients clarify their message and communicate it visually. Anna’s notable clients include Shake Shack, Gardner Realtors, Metairie Road and The Historic New Orleans Collection.

Anna graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor’s in Leadership and Society. Her professional background stems from four years in publishing, where she served as editor in chief of Sophisticated Woman Magazine, a monthly lifestyle publication based on the Northshore followed by four years with Gambel Communications. As creative director, Anna has worked with clients to develop logo design, brand messaging and brand standards for a variety of industries including education, tech, real estate and special events. For businesses with existing brand design, Anna works with clients to design effective marketing materials, signage, direct mail pieces and annual reports.

Anna has garnered major national and local media coverage for her clients. Most notably, her work for Tall Ships New Orleans resulted in coverage on the front pages of The Advocate and The Times-Picayune, as well as national coverage in The New York Times, The Washington Post and Associated Press, with a total of more than 495 million impressions and more than 530 total mentions. Her work at Gambel Communications has earned her awards from Press Club of New Orleans and the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) for graphic design, overall media campaign and influencer marketing. She has also been awarded a Flambeaux Award and Awards of Excellence from the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL). Anna has made regular appearances on WVUE-Fox 8 and WWL-TV to discuss apps and fashion trends and has served as Mistress of Ceremonies for the Children’s Museum of St. Tammany’s annual fundraiser in back-to-back years. She is also Google Analytics Beginner and Advanced certified.

A native of Covington, Louisiana, Anna currently lives and explores in the Irish Channel. Before moving to New Orleans, she and her husband, Vinnie, owned and operated a modern Italian restaurant, Meribo, in downtown Covington for two years before selling it to partners. The venture gave Anna first-hand knowledge of the multifaceted needs of entrepreneurs and reinforced the importance of branding, marketing and public relations for small businesses. She believes that every business has a clientele that simply needs to be identified and reached through authentic, innovative and effective communication.

Anna enjoys spreading authenticity and joy through mindfulness practices, yoga, illustration and art prints for her personal projects—Anna Liv Design and Stars and Carrots. This side project began as a creative outlet and has evolved into a fully integrated e-commerce website where she can share her passions for design, travel, food and personal growth.

Christine Thompson Briede

Vice President, Membership

In March 2020, Christine was named Executive Director for the Jefferson Community Foundation. Prior to JCF, she spent three years at LSU Foundation as the Director of Development assigned to the Paul M. Hebert Law Center and two years with the American Red Cross. Earlier in her career, Christine served as president and majority owner of Loubat Foodservice Equipment for over 20 years, selling the business in 2013.

An experienced marketing executive, her key areas of expertise include: conceptualizing tactical marketing plans, formulating key messages and creative concepts, and innovating and executing new business development strategies. She also has experience as a corporate spokesperson handling client, community and media relations.

In the New Orleans community, she serves on the Board of Directors for the American Marketing Association, Association of Fundraising Professionals, Lambeth House/BSI, New Orleans Planned Giving Council, and the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute (NORLI). She has served in various roles as a national officer for Kappa Alpha Theta since 2003, her most recent role as a Foundation Trustee. She previously served on the Board of Directors for CASA-Jefferson, the Junior League of New Orleans, and the Women’s Professional Council.

In 1998, Christine was honored as one of Gambit Weekly’s “40 Under 40”. In November 2002 and again in 2008, Mrs. Briede was honored as one of forty “Women of the Year” by CityBusiness magazine. In April 2008, she was recognized as a Top Women’s Business Enterprise in the Nation by WE USA magazine. From 2010 – 2013, she was also honored as “Top 500 Women Businesses” in the U.S. by Diversity magazine.

Christine is a native of Virginia and grew up in Southeastern Massachusetts. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast & Film Communications from The University of Alabama. She is married with two adult daughters and resides in Old Metairie.

Haley Pegg

Executive Director

An experienced marketing professional with an expertise in creative strategy and communications, Haley Pegg is a go-getter when it comes to putting her clients on the map. Her current role as Marketing & Communications Director for the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce instilled her passion for small business development. Through her current role, Haley has assisted over 1,000 local businesses in marketing initiatives, resulting in increased presence, connections, and sales.

Originally from Washington, D.C., Haley moved down south to earn her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from Loyola University New Orleans. She minored in Marketing with a focus in digital marketing, social media, graphic design, and public relations. She has 7 years of experience in search engine optimization and is certified in Google Analytics. Prior to her role at the Chamber, Haley did freelance work as a brand ambassador for various large clients, including AT&T, Jack Daniel’s, LaCroix, Zippo Encore, Verizon, and Comcast.

An avid animal lover since birth, Haley spends her free time volunteering at animal rescue organizations and no-kill shelters.

Mariska Morse

President

Mariska has 25 years of experience in marketing, management, programming, and business development with for-profit and non-profit organizations. Most recently Mariska played a key role in the start-up and growth of Forté, a nonprofit that supports the advancement of women in business. During her 19-year tenure with Forté Mariska led the marketing efforts growing the organization’s brand, membership, and CRM activities. Mariska also served as Forté’s first Corporate Relations Director developing programs that would help recruit and retain top female talent. Today Forte has 110K members and 170 partner schools and companies.

Prior to Forté, Mariska led the Women in Business Initiative at Michigan’s Ross School of Business and also worked for 5 years with two different direct marketing agencies. Additionally, Mariska was a consultant to a variety of organizations including Zehno Cross Media Communications, the Graduate Management Admissions Council, and the Freeman School of Business at Tulane University. Her consulting work included strategic marketing, business development, account management, program development, and speaker recruitment.

Mariska earned her B.A. degree from Boston College, lives in New Orleans with her husband and three children and is pursuing her master’s degree in gender studies at Tulane University. In addition to school, Mariska serves on the board of the national Coalition for Collegiate Women’s Leadership, is the President of the NOLA Chapter for the American Marketing Association, consults for CENO (Campaign for Equity New Orleans) and sits on the PTSA Board for Lusher Charter School.